Filers attempt to get illegal unemployment compensation

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - "My job is to everyday get up and go find a job," says Randy Pate.

It's still hard for Pate to even admit he's out of work.

"It's just difficult. But God's going to see me through it," says Pate through tears.

He worked for a local home improvement store for 14 years and was just laid off a few days ago.

Now, he's filing for unemployment hoping what little he gets will go a long way.

"Utilities coming due, they've got to be paid. Medication, that's $300 dollars a month, and you're only going to make just a few hundred dollars, but when you got hospital bills, and you don't have a job, it's just rough on everybody."

Another harsh reality is knowing some who apply for help don't even deserve it.

Hutchison says they've seen an increase in fraudulent cases where people apply for benefits even though they have a job.

"We want to make sure that everybody knows that our job here is to make sure those who actually deserve the benefits get them. And anyone who breaks the law, we will be prosecuting them," says Hutchison.